August 22, 2011

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Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz will hold a press conference later this afternoon to outline his 2012 political intentions, POLITICO has learned.

The media-friendly, second-term House Republican has been dangling the prospect of a primary challenge to Sen. Orrin Hatch for months now.

He's slated an event at the University of Utah at 4 p.m. local time to announce whether he'll pull the trigger or pursue another term in the House.

A Mason-Dixon poll taken earlier this month showed Chaffetz trailing Hatch by 10 points in a potential match-up, though the convention style format used to select nominees in Utah would appear to make the six-term senator more vulnerable.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported in June that Chaffetz was telling party insiders he would make the Senate race.

“I have an increasing clarity,” Chaffetz said at the time. “Until I walk up to the microphone to make an announcement, it’s not official. But it’s no secret I’ve been thinking about this and I’ve been gravitating in that direction.”

Chaffetz was using aggressive language against Hatch in a town hall meeting just over a week ago, saying he would settle on a final decision during football season. That timeline, obviously, has moved up considerably.

Jake Sherman contributed to this report.

Posted by David Catanese 12:05 PM

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